Hanging Luggage With Removable Inserts

ABSTRACT

An article of luggage is described, incorporating a folding hanger, mirror and shelf, and a number of permanent and removably attached containers inside the luggage. The article of luggage may be hung in an open configuration for use of the items stored within. It may also be folded for storage or transport, in which folded configuration the hanger, mirror and shelf are folded and stored internally in the luggage. The removably attached containers may be rearranged within the luggage to provide a custom configuration.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.: 60/949,111, filed Jul. 11, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.: 60/974,634, filed Sep. 24, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Hanging luggage is described with a foldable shelf, a lighted mirror and removable containers for containing various items such as toiletries, cosmetics, personal care items, accessories, jewelry and other similarly sized items. The removable inserts may be added, removed or reconfigured by the user of the luggage to customize it to suit personal taste and the specific needs of a use for the luggage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hanging luggage described herein provides for several features in combination to provide an improved article of luggage for transporting, storing and utilizing various items for personal use, such as cosmetics, personal care products, toiletries, fashion or other accessories, jewelry, medicines, small personal care appliances, and other similar items. The luggage may be used to carry and access any items that may fit into the provided containers.

The luggage includes a folding hanger for hanging the luggage while packing, unpacking, or utilizing the items contained in the luggage, and which may be folded into the luggage during carrying or other transportation. The folding hanger may also incorporate a mirror to provide an aide for using cosmetic items, or other personal care items stored in the hanging luggage. The mirror may be optionally lit by light fixtures incorporated into the folding hanger or other areas of the luggage.

The luggage also includes a folding shelf for conveniently setting items during their use, and which may also be folded flat inside the luggage when preparing the luggage for travel.

The luggage further provides a number of containers or inserts incorporated into and attached to the luggage. The containers may be of varying sizes and shapes to accommodate storage of various items. Some of the containers or inserts may be removably attached to the luggage to allow for use separate from the luggage. The removable containers allow the user of the luggage to add, remove or reconfigure the containers in the luggage thereby customizing it to serve a specific need or the personal taste of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the hanging luggage in an open, hanging configuration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the hanging luggage in a partially folded configuration with several of the removable inserts disconnected from the hanging luggage panels.

FIG. 3 is a partial photographic view of an embodiment of the hanging luggage in an open, hanging configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the hanging luggage 100 is shown in an open configuration. The luggage 100 comprises a top panel 102 and at least one folding panel 104. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes two folding panels 104, however other embodiments of the hanging luggage 100 may have one or more folding panels 104. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has two folding panels 104, with a first folding panel 104 foldably attached to the bottom edge of top panel 102, and the second folding panel 104 foldably attached to the bottom edge 107 of the first folding panel 104. The relative proportions of the folding panels to each other and to the containers and removable inserts therein may or may not be as shown in the figures.

Top panel 102 and folding panels 104 may be constructed utilizing a number of methods and using a variety of materials as known in the art of making luggage. The panels may be constructed from cloth over a frame, stiff materials such as leather, plastic or synthetic materials, or hard-side materials commonly used to construct suitcases. Either the top panel 102 or the folding panels 104, or both, may have side walls 109 extending substantially perpendicular to the panels 102 and 104, the side walls defining an open-sided box with a depth typical of luggage or garment bags, as further described in relation to FIG. 3.

The top panel 102 and the folding panels 104 are foldably attached together along an exterior edge 106 of the panels to allow the folding panel 104 to overlay the top panel 102 in a folded configuration of the luggage. The top panel 102 folds into and is enclosed by the first folding panel 104. The first folding panel 104 and the second folding panel 104 fold together and fasten along exterior edges 108.

The top panel 102 and folding panels 104 have interior and exterior surfaces. The exterior surfaces of the panels 102 and 104 are those facing away from a user of the luggage when the luggage is in an open configuration. The interior surfaces of the panels 102 and 104 are those that face toward the user and contain various containers as described later in the specification.

In other embodiments of the luggage, top panel 102 may attach to edges 108 of folding panel 104, and may enclose additional folding panels 104 between top panel 102 and the first folding panel 104.

The panels 102 and 104 may be attached to each other using a variety of methods for forming folding joints known in the art of making luggage. For example, the panels may be foldably attached by zippers or hinges attached to the panels, or the panels may be sewn together to form a flexible joint. Alternatively, top panel 102 and foldable panels 104 are formed from one continuous sheet of flexible material. For example, panels 102 and 104 may be formed from a single sheet of cloth or fabric.

The folding panels 104 releaseably attach to each other along exterior edges 108. The releaseable attachment along edges 108 may be one or a combination of various devices and materials for releaseable attachments, including, without limitation, zippers, Velcro, snaps, straps, latches, drawstrings or other similar means of closing luggage.

One or more handles for carrying the luggage may be attached to it in various locations. A handle may be located along the exterior edge 106, on the side of the luggage opposite the containers. A handle may be attached to the edges 108 of one or both of the panels 102 and 104, at any point and along any side of the luggage. The handle may consist of multiple pieces that are attached to several different panels 102 or 104, and that are disposed adjacent to one another for use as a handle only when luggage 100 is in the closed configuration.

A folding hanger 110 is foldably attached to top panel 102 near edge 108. The folding hanger 110 is adapted to hang over the bar provided in closets, or over hooks provided for hanging bags or articles of clothing. The folding hanger 110 may be formed from plastic, metal, wire, fabric, chain, or some combination thereof. The folding hanger 110 may be foldably attached to top panel 102 utilizing hinges, sewn attachment or other foldable means of connection. The hanger 110 may be folded down over top panel 102 in a folded configuration for carrying the luggage. An attachment may be provided for fastening the hook end of the hanger 110 to the top panel 102 to prevent shifting during carrying or travel, such as a strap secured by velcro or a snap.

A mirror 112 is provided for use when the hanging luggage is in the open configuration. In one embodiment of the hanging luggage 100, the mirror 112 is attached to the folding hanger 110. The mirror 112 may also be attached to the top panel 102 independently of the hanger 110, so long as it is foldably attached to the top panel 102 for flat storage in the folded configuration of the hanging luggage 102. The mirror 1 12 may optionally be lit by light fixtures incorporated into the luggage. The light fixtures may be powered by batteries incorporated into the luggage, or by an accessory cord to plug the luggage into an electrical wall outlet.

A shelf 114 may also be provided near edge 108 of top panel 102 adjacent to the folding hanger 110. The shelf 114 may be used to temporarily store items otherwise stored in the compartments of the hanging luggage 100 during use when it is in the open position. Shelf 114 is formed from a rigid material capable of supporting items such as toiletries or cosmetics, including plastics, metals or flexible materials supported by a rigid frame. Shelf 114 is foldably connected to top panel 102 to allow it to fold flat against top panel 102 for storage in the folded configuration of the luggage 100. Additional support for shelf 114 may be provided in the form of straps 115 attached to the outside edge of shelf 114 and to top panel 102 near edge 108, or in support elements underneath shelf 114 and built into top panel 102.

Containers 116 are arrayed on both top panel 102 and folding panels 104. Containers 116 provide storage for items of various sizes and shapes. The containers 116 may be formed from mesh, fabric, plastics, or other similar materials suitable for forming flexible containers in luggage. Containers 116 may be formed by sewing a pocket of fabric into the inside lining of panels 102 and 104. They may also be self-contained pouches that are attached to panels 102 and 104 by sewing, gussetts, or otherwise. Containers 116 may be open on top, may close with elastic cord, drawstrings, snaps, buttons, or zip shut, or may be secured shut in other ways commonly used to secure the opening of bags, pouches, pockets, and other such containers.

Certain containers 118 may be removable. Containers 118 are formed from the same types of materials and using the same methods of construction as described for containers 116 above. The removable containers 118 are releaseably attached to the top panel 102 and the folding panels 104 along the foldable attachment between the first and second folding panels 104, and in other locations on the interior surface of the panels 102 and 104. The removable containers 118 are releaseably attached to the panels 102 and 104 using ring binders or clips, straps, velcro, zippers, or combinations thereof. Different configurations of removable containers 118 may be formed by attaching varying sizes of removable containers 118 within the hanging luggage 100.

A user of the luggage may remove some of the removable containers 118, may purchase and add additional removable containers of different sizes or shapes than those originally provided by with the luggage, or may rearrange the removable inserts in the luggage by unclipping the containers and reclipping them in a more suitable configuration in the luggage. By reconfiguring the removable containers 118, the luggage 100 may be customized for a specific use or for the tastes and convenience of the user.

The attachment member 122 provides the method of releasable attachment between removable containers 118 and luggage 100. Luggage 100 may have multiple attachment members 122 located at various areas of luggage 100, on panels 102 and 104. In the embodiment of the luggage 100 shown in FIG. 1, the attachment member is a ring clip device, providing releasable ring clips that may be opened or closed to remove or attach containers 118 as desired. Other embodiments of the luggage 100 may use other attachment members 122, such as velcro strips, zippers, clips, straps or combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, hanging luggage 100 is shown in a partially folded configuration. Shelf 114 is folded up and is flat against top panel 102. Folding hanger 110 is folded down over shelf 114 and is flat against top panel 102. To further fold the luggage 100 for travel, top panel 102 would be folded down into first folding panel 104, then the folding panels 104 would be folded together and releaseably attached along edges 108.

In the folded configuration, luggage 100 may be carried by handles 120. Handles 120 may be formed from flexible fabric straps, rigid plastic or metal, or some combination thereof. In other embodiments of the luggage 100, removeably attached or integrated shoulder straps or integrated wheeled carriers may be provided. Such handles, straps or other means for carrying the luggage 100 may also be provided on the exterior surface of the luggage 100 at the foldable attachment between the folding panels 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the luggage 100 is shown in the open configuration. Sidewalls 109 are shown for defining the interior of luggage 100 and extending edges 108 for attachment to the opposing edges of panels 102 and 104, as appropriate. A view of folding hanger 110 is shown in the open position. Containers 1 16 and removable containers 118 are shown, attached to the top and folding panels, 102 and 104 respectively. FIG. 3 also includes a view of the handle 120. 

1. An article of luggage, comprising: a top panel, a first folding panel, a second folding panel, a plurality of containers attached to the top panel, first folding panel, and second folding panel suitable for storing items, a plurality of removable containers releaseably attached to the top panel, the first folding panel or the second folding panel for storing items, at least one attachment member for releaseably attaching the removable containers to the top panel, first folding panel and second folding panel, and wherein the first folding panel is foldably attached to the top panel along a first edge of the top and first folding panel, and wherein a second edge of the first folding panel is foldably attached to a first edge of the second folding panel.
 2. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a at least one ring binder.
 3. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the plurality of removably attached containers vary in shape and size, and the location of the containers may be altered by the user of the luggage by removing a removable container and reattaching the container at a different location on the luggage.
 4. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the at least one attachment members are attached to the luggage at different locations on the luggage.
 5. The article of luggage of claim 2 further comprising a foldable hanger for suspending the luggage from a hook or rod wherein the hanger is foldably attached to the top panel.
 6. The article of luggage of claim 5 further comprising a mirror attached to the foldable hanger.
 7. The article of luggage of claim 6, wherein the mirror is lit by a plurality of light fixtures incorporated into the luggage.
 8. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the first and second folding panels releaseably attach to each other on at least one edge of the first and second folding panels in a folded configuration.
 9. The article of luggage of claim 5, wherein the luggage is hung in an open configuration by the hanger, the top panel depending from the hanger, and the first folding panel depending from the top panel, and the second folding panel depending from the first folding panel.
 10. The article of luggage of claim 2, further comprising a first and a second handle for carrying the luggage when in a folded configuration, wherein the first handle is disposed on the exterior surface of the first folding panel, and wherein the second handle is disposed on the exterior surface of the second folding panel.
 11. The article of luggage of claim 5, further comprising a folding shelf for holding articles from contained in the luggage when in an unfolded configuration, wherein the folding shelf is foldably attached to the interior surface of top panel along a first edge of the folding shelf.
 12. The article of luggage of claim 11, wherein the folding shelf folds flat against the top panel when not in use, and is supported by two straps, wherein each strap is attached to an outer edge of the folding shelf at a first end of each strap, and is attached to the top panel at a a second end at a point on the interior surface of top panel 102 located above the first edge of the folding shelf when the luggage is hanging in an open configuration.
 13. An article of luggage comprising: a folding hanger, a mirror, a handle, a plurality of panels, a plurality of removable containers for receiving various items, and a plurality of attachment members for receiving the removable containers; wherein the plurality of attachment members are attached to the plurality of panels; and wherein the folding hanger and the mirror are foldably attached to one of the plurality of panels; and wherein the handle is attached to one of the plurality of panels; and wherein the removable containers may be attached and detached from the plurality of attachment members at various locations on the plurality of panels as desired by a user of the luggage.
 14. A method of utilizing a piece of luggage containing attachment members, comprising the steps of: attaching a plurality of releaseable containers to the attachment members when the luggage is hanging in an open configuration; placing items in the removable containers for storage during transportation; folding the panels of the luggage into a folded configuration; transporting the luggage; hanging the luggage in an open configuration and detaching the removable containers from the attachment members and utilizing the objects stored therein; and reattaching the removable containers to the luggage in a different configuration. 